Legislative Council, Tuesday 25 October 2022

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs Hiscutt

My final question to the Leader with regard to shipping services to and from King Island.

(1) I understand the new Devonport Port facility for Bass Island Line (BIL) includes a loading ramp and has a levy imposed to assist in recouping some of the costs associated with the new ramp.

How long does TasPorts or the minister envisage it will take with this levy to recoup the out-front costs related to the new berth?

(2) How many crews are currently employed by TasPorts and/or Bass Island Line to service Bass Island Line?

(a) Have the expected savings related to reduce crew and other costs materialised with the withdrawal of the Victorian leg?

(b) If so, the stated saving was approximately $2 million. Has this been achieved?

ANSWER

(1) In early 2022, TasPorts, the port operator, invested $2.4 million in the construction of a new multi-user roll-on/roll-off, a RORO ramp at the Port of Devonport to support King Island shipping needs. The RORO ramp is a long-term solution and will play an important role in supporting King Island shipping and other similar commercial vessels calling at the Port of Devonport. TasPort notes the application of an infrastructure levy on investment in new port infrastructure, is an appropriate and acceptable commercial practice, which the businesses intend to follow into the future.

(2) TasPort notes that BIL's crewing arrangements are outsourced to a reputable provider of the service and crew are employed under an appropriate enterprise agreement, ensuring the high standard of conditions for workers. There is a total of two crews employed month-on, month-off, noting there are sufficient in numbers to safely operate the service.

(2) (a) Negotiations are currently underway with Polaris, which is providing the crew.

Ms FORREST - The Leader said (2)(a), there was (2)(b). I said to be or not to be. Have the savings of $2 million that were stated as the reason for withdrawal of the Victorian leg been achieved? I looked at the TasPort's annual report today and there is barely anything in it on Bass Island Line. In fact, I had to get the magnifying glass to read it.

Mrs HISCUTT - I do apologise to the member for Murchison, there is a (2)(a) and a (2)(b). I just do not have the (2)(b) here so I will resubmit that for tomorrow.